I don't listen to a lot of Christmas music during the season because it gets downright depressing to hear all the songs about love and hope when I'm alone and depressed. That's not to say I don't enjoy spending time with family and friends as well as find joy in spreading smiles and gifting whatever I can to whoever I can, but it's just enough to keep me from spiking my brain with too much joy that it makes me realize I'm missing out on a few pieces of the puzzle that would really turn up my mental state to party central. I would never turn down Christmas music although I can get sick of commercial radio playing the same songs over and over again because, let's face it, there aren't a lot of choices in songs compared to most genres or themes within the lyrics. Even Halloween may not have a lot of songs specific to the holiday, but if you want slashers, monsters, and spooky tunes you can find them just about anywhere and have months worth of new songs to listen to without a single repeat.
In fact, I made an eleven volume set of Halloween tracks that tell a story as you play through each track to the next and/or have an overall theme (vampires, witches, etc) that I polished off almost 12 or so years ago and started to collect about 20-30 more tracks before I quit doing it. My goal was to create another 10 album story arc, but that may have to happen when I find a little more free time because I spend a good few hours hunting down tracks, ripping them, sorting them into proper order, etc and by the time all is said and done I've spent 4-5 good hours per album making sure everything sounded and flowed perfectly. Though I could use some editing skills to revamp the older albums a little so they are properly mixed to flow from one track to the next I did have a great start and loved every minute of it.
I digress... let's get into a few tunes that I did have on my playlist between all the non-holiday music I regularly listen to on a regular basis year round.
Though it was originally a Pogues song (which is amazing, by the way) I always loved this slightly more upbeat version by No Use For a Name. RIP Tony Sly. This song was always a punk rock Christmas love song for me. It's dirty, gritty, fun, and the perfect Christmas date night just dancing and being crazy m'fers. All credit goes straight to the Pogues for introducing the song to me and making this possibly, but No Use was on a pretty constant rotation for years and I love dancing like an untalented idiot to this song. Put up that mistletoe and let's get this shindig started right, with a kiss and a dance.
I've seen Dropkick Murphys numerous times and they always put on an amazing show. I love Irish punk almost as much as I love Irish girls and their accents. There's mischief and mayhem and songs to be sung! Who says Christmas has to end? Take down the trees and the lights, but that spirit won't die when family and friends get together for laughs and... well, whatever you naughty boys and girls get into.
Though I only just heard this today, it was actually pretty rad to listen to some Christmas Deathcore! 🤘
It's The Kinks, need I say more?
Oi to the World Vandals style! 🤘
I listen to too much New Found Glory and have experienced almost as much heartbreak in real life as I have listening to their music. These guys got me through a lot of heartache and still show up on my playlist from time to time so I can have a little fun while crying over the girls that break my heart one way or another. Hands up if you love some NFG as well!
Ice Nine Kills put on a wicked live show and their music videos are pretty awesome. Plus, this video game in the video need to become a real thing. It's wicked cool.
My dudes! I love A Day to Remember. If it wasn't for New Found Glory being in my life for years before discovering these guys then they might have had equal playtime over the years.
I can't skank for sh#t, but I love a good ska track and some of the best shows I've been to have been ska shows with groups like Reel Big Fish, Goldfinger, and more.
Well, this wasn't meant to be a life changing blog post nor anything crazy awesome other than some cool tunes to listen to before and after Christmas. I hope you enjoyed listening to at least a few tracks. A real appreciation blog post soon! I promise! I was preparing to do one tonight but my head is just getting settled back on after a long and super busy day at work.
Hope you all had an amazing Christmas full of love and joy! If it hasn't happened for you yet (you Orthodox folks) then I hope it will be full of love and joy. Go hug some loved ones and cuddle some furbabies.
Love y'all!
Xander
